Emcyt Side Effects

Generic name: estramustine

Note: This document contains side effect information about estramustine. Some of the dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Emcyt.

Some side effects of Emcyt may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.

For the Consumer

Applies to estramustine: oral capsule

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction while taking estramustine (the active ingredient contained in Emcyt) hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using estramustine and call your doctor at once if you have:

• chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;

• sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance;

• sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, coughing up blood;

• pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in one or both legs;

• shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, rapid weight gain; or

• easy bruising.

Common side effects may include:

• nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea, upset stomach;

• feeling weak or tired;

• breast swelling or tenderness; or

• impotence.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to estramustine: oral capsule

Genitourinary

Gynecomastia and impotence have been reported as estrogenic effects.

Genitourinary side effects including breast tenderness (71%), mild breast enlargement (65%), and moderate breast enlargement (11%) have been reported. One case of hemolytic-uremic syndrome has also been reported.

Hepatic

Hepatic side effects including LDH and/or SGOT abnormalities (33%), bilirubin and SGOT abnormalities (2%), and bilirubin, LDH, and SGOT abnormalities (2%) have been reported.

Cardiovascular

Exacerbation of preexisting or incipient peripheral edema or congestive heart disease has been reported.

Cardiovascular side effects including edema (20%), leg cramps (9%), myocardial infarction (3%), thrombophlebitis (3%), congestive heart failure (3%), cerebrovascular accident (2%), and pulmonary emboli (2%) have been reported.

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects including nausea (16%), diarrhea (13%), minor gastrointestinal upset (11%), anorexia (4%), and flatulence (2%) have been reported.

Respiratory

Respiratory side effects including dyspnea (12%) have been reported.

Hematologic

Hematologic side effects including leukopenia (4%) have been reported.

Other

Other side effects including lethargy (4%), insomnia (3%), and emotional lability (2%) have been reported.

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects including easy bruising (3%), pruritus (2%), and dry skin (2%) have been reported.

Oncologic

Oncologic side effects including mutagenicity have been reported for both estradiol and nitrogen mustard. Animal studies on estrogens have reported an increase in the frequency of carcinomas of the breast and liver.

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